Knives, often seen as simple tools, are in fact, purpose-driven instruments. Each knife is designed for a specific task, and it’s crucial to understand your purpose for purchasing a knife. What do you expect from the knife you purchase?  What do you need to cut? By understanding these factors, you can make an informed decision and choose a knife that will truly serve your needs.

Knives are typically made of steel. The steel makes the cut, so the knife you choose must have the properties to perform the task required.  It is true that you can go to your local Walmart or another store and purchase a knife for $25 to $50 or maybe even a little more if it looks cool.  But cool will not withstand tasks such as chopping without breaking.  Steve’s Cutlery handles premium knives, knives that are a work of art, yet are not only tough but also hard; these two terms are very different when discussing knives. Our knives are not just tools, they are investments in durability and quality. 
Toughness: Knife toughness is a material’s ability to resist breaking, chipping, or cracking under stress or impact. Toughness (durability) is vital when forging knives, especially for heavy-duty tasks like cutting rigid materials or chopping.

Hardness: When it comes to the hardness of a knife, we use the Rockwell C (HRC) scale. This scale measures the steel’s resistance to deformation, with a range from 53 to 63. Most kitchen knives have an HRC rating between 52 and 62, but the best quality chef knives are often 60 or higher. Higher HRC ratings mean sharper knives that maintain their edge longer, but they may be more brittle and harder to sharpen. Lower HRC ratings mean knives that dull more quickly but are easier to sharpen. More rigid knives may have better edge retention but will be more difficult to re-sharpen.  Softer steels may not hold the edge better but will be less likely to chip or break and will be easier to re-sharpen.
Other concerns are pitting, corrosion, and rusting. Some steels, such as stainless steel, are more corrosion-resistant and may require less maintenance, while others, such as carbon steels, require more care to prevent pitting, corrosion, and rusting. 

The key to purchasing the right knife is to know and understand the intended purpose of what you are buying the knife.  Choose your steel carefully.

Definitions are provided via Google.

Carbon Steel

Carbon steel: This steel is composed of iron and carbon and gives an exceptional cutting edge. It is easier to sharpen than other harder steels.  However, it tends to rust and requires special, regular maintenance.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel: Made from iron, chromium, and other elements, this steel is particularly rust-resistant.  However, it is not as sharp as carbon steel.

440C

440C stainless steel is a high-carbon, martensitic stainless steel that’s known for its hardness, strength, and wear resistance. It has a high carbon content, which gives it these characteristics, and it’s also magnetic in all conditions. When heat-treated, 440C can reach a Rockwell C hardness of around 60, which is the highest of any stainless steel. 

AUS 6, 8, 10

AUS-8 is a Japanese stainless steel made by Aichi Steel Company and is often used in knives. It’s a good balance of strength, corrosion resistance, and sharpness and is popular with knife makers and producers because it’s cost-effective and easy to sharpen. 

Damascus Steel

Damascus Steel: Steel made with a wavy surface pattern produced by hammer-welding strips of steel and iron followed by repeated heating. It is used chiefly for knife and sword blades. Such items were often marketed, but not necessarily made, in Damascus during the medieval period.  A Damascus steel knife may have as many as 365 to 512 layers of steel.  Acid treatments bring out the various shades, creating a beautiful work of art.

D2 Steel

D2 steel is an air-hardening, high-carbon, high-chromium tool steel. It has high wear and abrasion-resistant properties. It is heat-treatable and will offer a hardness in the range of 55-62 HRC. It is machinable in annealed conditions. D2 steel shows little distortion on correct hardening. D2 steel’s high chromium content gives it mild corrosion-resisting properties in the hardened condition.

Care and Maintenance

All steels are subject to various levels of pitting, rusting, and corrosion. When done using the item, wash it in soap and water, dry it thoroughly, coat it in gun oil, and do not store it in the leather sheath. Leather pulls moisture out of the air and can cause pitting, rust, or corrosion if the blade is stored improperly.  When sharpening is required, use a diamond wet stone. It is better to sharpen the blade at 20 degrees.

The leather sheath also requires maintenance to keep it from drying out and protect it from weather conditions. Saddle soap is a great leather softener and protector from various weather conditions. I used saddle soap as a youth for my saddles.

Steve’s Cutlery specializes in big bowie knives (and smaller ones) made of the highest-quality premium carbon and stainless steel. Our knives are works of art and can fulfill their intended purposes. We also carry military, tanto, hunting, and fishing knives forged worldwide, all made of premium-quality steel and equally a work of art.

Steve’s Cutlery
Stephen & Megan Sutherland
StevesCutlery.com
Steves1111@outlook.com
352-263-7906